A transition-state analog is likely to bind to an enzyme
A) more tightly than the substrate.
B) less tightly than the substrate.
C) about as tightly as the substrate.
D) at a site other than the catalytic site.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Transition-state analogs are designed to mimic the transition state of a substrate in an enzymatic reaction, which is the highest energy state of the reaction pathway. Enzymes stabilize this transition state more than they do the substrate or product, leading to a lower activation energy and faster reaction. Therefore, a transition-state analog would bind more tightly to the enzyme than the substrate itself, as the enzyme's active site is optimized to stabilize the transition state.

A Transition-State Analog Is Likely to Bind to an Enzyme